Doubting Thomas

By Georgia (Jo) Kent

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2

Doubt…It’s usually very subtle. I think about it when I feel the Holy Spirit whispering to me to do something outside my comfort zone, often a feeling of uncertainty comes over me. Doubt whispers you can’t do that. Was that really Gods whispers? If I allow my thoughts to stray into ‘me’ then I’ll get that awful, insecure feeling. Too many times in the past I end up giving up without realizing that I was validating my insecurities. I never shared those feelings with others because I was afraid that if they knew the reasons I doubted myself, they’d notice flaws I had worked hard to hide.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Satan would always tell me that I was the only one who struggled with doubt. I didn’t always think of it as doubt. Sometimes I called it worry, worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it. Other times I’d call it fear. Fear of not measuring up, fear of rejection, fear of looking prideful by thinking I could do something special for God. What I’ve realized over the years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is always self-doubt.
“In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.”Psalm 71:1 1

I claimed God’s promise by weaving them into my thoughts, knowing I could do it all if I depended on the strength God promises to give me. And when I did, God transformed my heart by renewing my mind with His peace and confidence. It takes time to replace our patterns of thought with God’s thoughts. Fear and worry are powerful forces. But God’s Word trumps them! Ive learned how to lay down self-doubts and replace them with truth, remembering…”I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3